Nigeria Captain Obi Mikel Targets Second Africa Cup Triumph
Zeeshan Mehtab Published June 14, 2019 | 08:58 PM
Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has said he is "hungry" to a win a second Africa Cup of Nations trophy
Obi Mikel won his first Africa Cup winners' medal six years ago in South Africa after finishing third in 2006 and 2010.
In Egypt, he will lead a young team with the bulk of the players making their first appearance at this stage of the competition.
"I am hungry to win. I come to win. If not, what's the point?" Mikel said.
"It will be a tough tournament, but we have quality players, we have trained well. So we have a good chance." He has been impressed with the young team who have forged ahead after an early exit at last year's World Cup in Russia.
"There's a lot of young players in the team.
That's very good, that means a lot of energy in the team," said the experienced midfielder, who was not part of the qualifying tournament for this competition after he asked to be left out.
"We have some incredibly talented young players like (Samuel) Chukwueze and Paul (Onuachu). They have to get experience and good enough the coach has given them the opportunity. Hopefully, we are in Egypt to fight because we want to do great things."The former Chelsea star made his Eagles debut in August 2005 against Libya, and this tournament may well be his last with the national team.
"Maybe it's my last one," he said. "I'm not sure yet, but at some point you have to let go. I don't want to overstay my welcome. Let's hope we can make it count."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Sports
-
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
9 hours ago -
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
9 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
9 hours ago -
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
9 hours ago -
Bagnaia hits back with record Jerez practice lap
9 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
9 hours ago
-
Shahzaib Rind calls on Deputy Speaker Balochistan
10 hours ago -
Inter-university weightlifting championship kicks off at SAU
10 hours ago -
T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy unveiling ceremony held
10 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
12 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
12 hours ago -
New Zealand cricket CEO visits PSCA, expresses satisfaction over security arrangements
12 hours ago